" Zesty Italian Polenta Cake"

"Corn Meal Polenta Cake"

This cake is sort of Anglo-Italian.

I'm a lover of real tangy lemon desserts and this cake makes my mouth water.  I love it with a cup of tea later in the evenings, but it can be eaten any time.

The flat plain cake is reminiscent of the confections that sit in patisserie windows in Italy. The sharp syrupy sauce used to drizzle on the finished cake is borrowed from the English drizzle cakes.  The tart lemon highlights the bitterness of the cake, making it wonderful.

If you would imagine lemon curd in a cake form, this would be it!

The ingredients are simple enough and it can be put together in about 20 minutes.

2 cups of Corn Meal

1 cup ground Almonds 

Baking Powder 1 1/2 tsp

1 stick unsalted butter

3 eggs

1 cup sugar

2 large lemons

1/2 cup confection sugar

First thing I did was put the Almonds in the coffee grinder, washed first (the coffee grinder), then made a flour out of them.

Then blend together the butter and sugar.

Once the sugar and butter are fluffy

add the first egg, mix together.  Then add a bit of the dry ingredients, mix together.

Add the second egg, more dry ingredients, mix.  Then the third egg.  Mix until smooth.

Then zest two large lemons and fold into the mixture.

Pour into a prepared cake pan then  Bake 350' for about 40 minutes or until a tooth pick comes out clean.

I wanted the lemon zest a bit larger so I used the cheese grater, to give the cake a bit more texture.

I lined the glass dish with parchment paper then baked.

While the cake is cooling juice two lemons and put in a sauce pan, add the confectioners sugar and bring to a smooth boil for about 4 minutes. The mixture will be a smooth clear syrup.

Put the cake on your favorite serving plate and punch many holes  into the cake.  The Italians use a raw piece of spaghetti but I used a corn on the cob holder.  Makes perfect holes for the drizzle.

Take the warm syrup and slowly drizzle on the cooled cake. Let it seep in slowly and continue until all the syrup is used,  not forgetting the sides of the cake.

I used a few lemon peels to decorate then dusted with some confectioners sugar.

Let the cake stand in the fridge for about an hour.

The lemon tartness is wonderful and is a contender for both tea time or as a after dinner dessert.

I like to make this cake as gifts during the holidays. It's easy to bake and can be boxed without worry.  I remember my mom baking it in cookie tins to be given as gifts. Just line the tin with parchment paper before baking, cool, add the syrup then the lid.  Easy gift!

Give it a try, I'm sure you and your guests will enjoy it!

P.S.   After a bloggie friend asked the question,

"Does baking in the tin take off the pretty painted designs"?

Then I remembered my mom, if the tin was not just silver metal,  first covered the tin with a wrap of foil. 

Thanks "Pondside" for saving many good looking tins!

Another Extravaganza !

       

Hey everyone.  Wanted to let you know "Swagbucks" has another Extravaganza coming up tomorrow!

"Next week will be a can't miss at Swagbucks, as they run not one but TWO big days of codes! 

It all starts on Halloween Monday, with a series of Trick-or-Treat code hunts throughout the day. 

For those of you up North, stuck in the snow, what a great way to pass the day!

Then, on Thursday, it's another Swag Code Extravaganza  

60 Swag Bucks worth of codes being released throughout the day, plus special promotions, announcements and more!

 Click on this link to take you to "Swagbucks" to join in!

Be sure to go to the Swagbucks Blog at 7am Pacific Time Monday to join in the fun!" 

I'm pushing Swagbucks because I so love this site.  I have bought all my Christmas gifts thanks to the points earned while searching the web using the Swagbucks Tool Bar. 
Really!  and I did not spend one penny!
Love it!

 

" A little Sunday Humor "

 

 

CATHOLIC HEART ATTACK


A man suffered a serious heart attack while shopping in a store.

A store clerk called 911 when they saw him collapse to the floor.

The paramedics rushed the man to the nearest hospital where he had emergency open heart bypass surgery.

He awakened from the surgery to find himself in the care of nuns at the Catholic Hospital he was taken to. A nun was seated next to his bed holding a clip board loaded with several forms and a pen.

 

She asked him how he was going to pay for his treatment. "Do you have health insurance"

"Do you have money in the bank"

He replied, "No  insurance or money in the bank."

"Do you have a relative who could help you with the payments?" asked the irritated nun.

 He said, "I only have a spinster sister, and she is a nun."

The nun became agitated and announced loudly,

"Nuns are not spinsters! Nuns are married to God."

The patient replied, "Perfect. Send the bill to my brother-in-law." 

 ***********

Have a wonderful Sunday

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Our Obsession with Pumpkins....

 

We in North America have an obsession with Pumpkins.

The obsession with pumpkins does not start until October of each year.

Why don't we use this vegetable, a squash, more during the year?

When the pumpkin patches are bursting with this delicious vegetable we all rush out and buy one, or two, or ten.  Some for decorating, and some for cooking.

The way most of us buy our pumpkin is in a can. I can almost guarantee it will be in  our pantry in the next month, just waiting to be mixed with wonderful spices and evaporated milk, eggs then put into a flaky crust!

Some people go all out with their pumpkins.  Decorating seems to be the norm and the nuttier the better!

We carve our pumpkins in silly designs.

Or we might line our drives and walkways with lighted pumpkins.

Or we may paint the pumpkins to match our tablescapes.

We have pumpkins in ceramic.

Early American Folk Art

I'd love to have my tea simmering in this lovely Tea Pot 

We may make a table design out of our pumpkins.

We send  our unsuspecting children out on Halloween dressed as pumpkins.

 Then there are those who try to grow the biggest pumpkin in the land, for a prize!

 There are many different variety's of pumpkins growing. Oh the memories we create when we take the children to pick out their pumpkins.

Some are for food and some just grown for the fun of it.

Then there are those designs meant to scare us or make us go ewwww!

I'm not all that inventive and have a simple pumpkin standing on my front porch.  

This would have to be my favorite way to have pumpkin in my home.

 "Pumpkin Pie"

I made this one just last week. 

I may be odd to some but I bake them all year and top with cool whip.. now that is one of my favorite things and I don't wait till the fall for this delight!

As Pumpkins are showing themselves in just about every home in North America in the next few weeks, it tells me that America bands together to celebrate the Fall Holidays.

We are happy, loving, caring and giving. 

It's the best time of the year!

"Happy Fall Everyone" 

I'm linking up to

Vintage Inspiration 

Potpourri Party #9 

I'm so ready !

 

I get excited when the Holiday Season comes around each year.  It's hard on a mom who spent years getting ready for the season, mostly for her children but now my children are out in the world doing for their families.  Makes me sad deep inside but I still don't deny myself the great pleasures associated with the Holidays.

One pleasure is my sisters annual visit.  she too has children spread around the world and her home is quiet so she and I have made a point of spending the Holidays together for the past decade.

Our one pleasure that we can agree on.

"Fruit Cake"

Not just any Fruit Cake but one from the "Collin Street Bakery" in Corsicana, Texas.

This Fruit Cake is to die for and the only one we buy. 

I know the stores are full of other so called Fruit Cakes but this one puts them all to shame!

This bakery sends cakes out to the White House and to the Queen of England and other destinations around the world!

I'll admit it's a bit pricey but it's our gift to ourselves and is worth every penny!

Our Mom introduced us to this wonderful Fruit Cake and we have kept the tradition going in her honor, with her way of eating this... First we get a small bottle of good Rum and every few days drizzle a teaspoon or two over this cake for the first few weeks. (that is why we buy it early)

It's amazing and strong so a teeny slice is all needed with a cup of tea!

I know most people hate Fruit Cake but for those who love it you must send away for one now!

 I am not collecting any endorsements for this post and am not trying to sell you, I just wanted to talk about this wonderful cake! It's the kind of sweet you bring out for guests!

I'm ready for the Holidays now and my sisters visit. One week from today she will be making the 24 hr flight to get to me. I'll be at the airport with bells on to greet her!

(the bells on part is a family joke)

Bring on all the Holiday fan fair and the chilly weather!

I'm officially ready for you "Dolly"!

"Thank You",,, thank you!

 

I'd like to send a "BIG Shout Out" and "Thank You"  to my bloggie friend "Pat" over at

"Gypsy Heart"

 Southern Living Cook Book Giveaway!

 

This past week she so graciously hosted a giveaway and 

I Won the "Southern Living Cook Book"

It came in the mail today.

This Cook Book is rather large also, just over 500 pages filled with wonderful recipes from the South.

"Thank You Pat", 

You put a very large smile on my face today!

***********

Another wonderful thing put a smile on my face today!

Egg Nog is in the stores all ready. 

I had to buy me a quart!

Yummmmm!

(Now all I need is a bit of Rum)

What a wonderful day!

I think I know what this is?

 

What would you say this is?

I walked outside to put the trash in the store room and this is what I found.

Stood there for a bit and tried to figure out what it was and how did it get on the store room door?

Can you see it?

At first I didn't see it.  

When I put my hand on the knob there it was. 

Three tiny little circles made up of what looked like tiny beads.

What in the world? 

Is it alien?

I'm thinking it's spider eggs.

Amazing how the circles are so perfect.

The closer I got I noticed the perfect shape.

Mother Nature at her finest!

I imagine the spider walking in circles as she released her eggs.

Things like this amaze me!

4 - Four, You are 4

 

My grandson turned 4 this past week and his mom, my daughter, the one who lives in Guam, wrote this post on her blog.   

It brought tears to my eyes and I wanted to save and share such a sweet post.

Gina is a hard working stay at home mom. She homeschools her boys.  She never gets off the Navy base except to shop or take the family to the beach. They only left the Island once in the almost three years there.

***************

"You are four. I want to remember the way you are as this little person in my life. The way you hug real tight. How you take the batteries out of the remotes. And then you hand the parts to me because you know I don't want them to get lost or go in your mouth. You are enthusiastic about life and continue to fill our lives with joy.  We are so in love with you.  I'm grateful you show us what life is truly about. You have a mighty big heart and a fierce sense of loyalty.  You love your mimi and want me to snuggle it while you are busy playing, just one example of your kind heart.  How you say mama, mama, mama, mama.  Your hundreds of questions. I laugh a little and feel so glad that I get to explain new words to you. You've learned so many in the past six months; what big (dinosaur) steps you've taken in one whole year!

You are four. You know about good manners, & love making letter sounds. How popsicles come in so many different flavors. Asking for a couple more minutes to play, telling me which foods you like and which ones you don't like.  Luckily for me you like most. You'll only eat with big boy forks and drink with big boy cups.  You notice a car, truck, or bus from miles away.  You love looking at the moon, and making sure your big brothers see it too. You keep the world new (and bright). You are curious and thoughtful and sweet and wonderful.  

I'll always remember how you love sitting on the bathroom counter while we get ready for the day. The way you pop a cookie into your mouth. Then save the other cookie in your pocket for later. I love when you woOoOosh down the slide at the park and then brush your hands together to clean them off. How you turn away, suddenly bashful when strangers smile, and  stare back at them from the corner of your eye. I love that you sleep with an entourage of buddies each night. 

You are getting so big. However I refuse to be sad about letting you grow up. You were meant to grow and more importantly, I am grateful you are growing."

My heart holds yours.  "happy,  happy,  happy birthday".

I want you to remember that I'll always love you..... to infinity & beyond.

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As a mom of three grown kids it brings me to tears sometimes knowing how adult they are and how far they are from me.  I can say for sure, "I'm so Proud of them"